NEW DESIGNER OF THE YEAR “DYSLEXIC OBJECTS”

Northumbria University graduate Henry Franks’ dyslexia is the inspiration for his range of products that won him United Kingdom’s New Designer of the Year award 2013. “The motivation was to utilize the power of unconventional thinking and apply my own dyslexia to objects to create products which have dyslexia and function better as a result,” Franks explained. The collection includes re-imagined household objects like inverted coasters and double-hooked coat hangers. “The aim was to…re-engage [the user] with ordinary objects and subject people to products with a higher emotional function,” he said. As opposed to a traditional, flat coaster, Franks’ platform version elevates mugs and therefore, making it more noticeable and less likely to be spilled. Franks’ award prizes included a £1000 cash prize, £1000 worth of advice from intellectual property lawyers Briffa, £2000 worth of advice from accountancy experts Rhodes & Rhodes, and a half day with PR consultancy Four Colman Getty.